Thailand and Cambodia

[don2222]

[This message has been edited by don2222]

Hi All,
 I just returned from spending 10 days crossing Cambodia by land and ending in Thailand.  I had some FF miles to use, so I thought I would see more of Asia.  Not sure who here would be interested in these two countries, but I can give my intial impressions of both countries.

Cambodia:  Much cleaner, quieter, and more poor than the Phils.  The women actually dress in skirts and dresses as opposed to the boring Filipina uniform of jeans and a t-shirt.  The food is great, i never had a bad meal.  Many nice hotels for $10 a night, nice clean hotels without air-con for $5 a night.  Most of the hotels are very clean and well-maintained.  Some Cambodians do speak English, and the women I met in the restaurants and internet cafes seemed eager to talk to me. It was difficult to know if they were interested in me as a possible boyfriend or just being polite.
 Actually, as far as a place to live, Cambodia is much nicer than the Phils. Much fewer beggars, the people dress and act a little more professional, and the people are just as polite.
As a place to go to find a wife, i see some definite possibilities, but  the biggest negative  being that very few speak English.
I felt a little unsafe walking late at night, but I encountered no problems at all.
You can see the French influence in the food (delicious), and some of the buildings (attractive), and maybe in the clothes, most of the people wearing clothes that are "dressy-casual".

Thailand:  I talked to many ex-pats, and Thailand  probably is a less desireable place to find a wife.  Crossing the boarder into Thailand was almost like walking into America. It is a fairly wealthy country, and it can be very expensive to visit or live there.  Many Thais have absolutely no desire to leave, they love their country.  Also, the impression that i got is that Thais love our money, but many really do not care for foreigners. One interesting quote I heard is that "Thais are the nicest people that money can buy"  Most of my experience is from talking to other ex-pats.  I really did not stay long enough to have many conversations with the Thai people.
For a vacation though, the country is beautiful, and I spent my time looking at the many palaces and temples.

Don

[Bob S]

... in response to Thailand and Cambodia, posted by don2222 on Aug 31, 2003

At the moment, Thailand may be safer than Cambodia that's currently going through its own political strife.  Cambodian politicians had been whipping the masses into a feeding frenzy of ethnic hatred.

http://www.time.com/time/search/article/0,8599,418621,00.html

Since then things have supposedly calmed down as it was hurting tourism at a time when all Asian tourism was suffering.  But you never know when politicians will need to run for office again and need another political rallying point.

Addtionally, bandits have been knows to prowl the back hills of Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand.  Outside the big cities and main tourist routes, it can get dangerous.

[Jay]

... in response to Thailand and Cambodia, posted by don2222 on Aug 31, 2003

[This message has been edited by Jay]

"and I spent my time looking at the many palaces and temples."

LMMFAOROTFTNTPMP!!!!!!

Yes there are many of those there. :-)

Jay

[outwest77]

... in response to Re: Thailand and Cambodia, posted by Jay on Aug 31, 2003

What is so RFLMAO about looking at temples

[Dingo]

... in response to Re: Re: Thailand and Cambodia, posted by outwest77 on Aug 31, 2003

I think he is laughing at Don because he does not believe
Don was just looking at Thai Temples. Probably he thinks
he was looking at Thai "Dimples" LOL, although I could be
wrong that was my interpretation of his "RLMAO"

http://www.21cep.com/thai/girl.jpg

Dingo

[outwest77]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Thailand and Cambodia, posted by Dingo on Aug 31, 2003

Perhaps he is thinking thailand is. thigh-land
LOL

[Jeff S]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Thailand and Cambodia, posted by outwest77 on Aug 31, 2003

Bangkok for nothing!

[Kreeger]

... in response to They don't call it...., posted by Jeff S on Aug 31, 2003

Confucious says:  "Man going through turnstyle sideways going to Bangkok"

[don2222]

... in response to Re: Thailand and Cambodia, posted by Jay on Aug 31, 2003

ok, ok :-)   I did go shopping for a watch while I was there :-)

so, what is "LMMFAOROTFTNTPMP!!!!!!"  ??

Don

[Jay]

... in response to Re: Re: Thailand and Cambodia, posted by don2222 on Aug 31, 2003

[This message has been edited by Jay]

Hi Don,

It's just a long version of "LMAO". Laughing my mf'n azz off rolling on the floor trying not to pee my pants. Just means extra funny. I just found that line classic.  :-)

Take Care,
Jay

[don2222]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Thailand and Cambodia, posted by Jay on Aug 31, 2003

n/t

[Dingo]

... in response to Thanks, glad I could help .....  :0) ......, posted by don2222 on Aug 31, 2003

I think the main reason we don't see as many Thais here in the US married
to Americans is due to their Buddist religion.
Buddism teaches suffering or sacrifices made in this life will lead to
greater happiness in the next. Hum seems pretty Zen with his bamboo and
rock garden he can probably shed some more specific details on the Buddist matter. Bottom line is Thai's are not generally social climbers like Filipinos.  Coming to the US isn't top priority for most of them as reflected
in the low number of Thai immigrants. As Don said they are happy in Thailand and love their country.  
Of course the language barrier plays a key roll in this as well.

Hey, Don2222, sounds like you had quite a trip.
Tell us more if you can. Any pictures to share?
What are your plans next? Vietnam? I've always wanted to go there but
don't care to much for their food.  Thai food is great though.
Pud see Eww....Yumm! What were they offering in Cambodia to eat?

Happy Trails.

[don2222]

... in response to Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, and Vie..., posted by Dingo on Aug 31, 2003

Hi Dingo,
 Yes, I did see a few cute "dimples".  Many of the Thai women are incredibly beautiful.
In Cambodia my buddy and I seemed to be on a shrimp fried rice diet, we had it every day, it was always delicious everywhere we went.
We went mainly to the tourist restaurants and had great pizzas, burgers, and more rice dishes. I am too wimpy for the spicy food, so I can't really comment on most of the local food as it is too much for me.  The westernized food is so much better than the Phils. I would be tempted to live there just for the food alone. What I have read tells me that Vietnam would be more expensive, so I don't have any plans to go there.  I have another buddy that has offered to let me stay at his place in Tokyo, and that might be might next trip as i accumulate more FF miles.
Hotels in Tokyo are too expensive for me, but with free lodging, I would be a fool not to go.

Don

[Jeff S]

... in response to Re: Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, and..., posted by don2222 on Aug 31, 2003

Don't miss out on Japan if you get the chance - fascinating place. Try the ryokans or minsyukus (like bed and breakfast) for $50-$75 a day (including meals) you can get a taste of old fashioned Japanese living.

http://www.ryokan.or.jp/english/
http://www.jpinn.com/

I'm no expert but I hear Viet Nam is one of the cheapest places in SE Asia to visit.

- Jeff

[GregF]

... in response to Re: Re: Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines,..., posted by Jeff S on Aug 31, 2003

Vietnam is not as cheap as Cambodia but is still a very reasonable country to visit if on a Budget and offers many very wounderfull sights to see. The woman are also absolutly beautifull too, in my slightly jaded opinion        
Greg